And here it is…The new Ozone Rush 6 EN-B for 2022-23.
In my mind, I was thinking that to beat the Rush 5 would be a super difficult job for Ozone. My test conclusion of the Rush 5 was the best EN-B ever made, and it was clear to all the pilots in the world after the two years cycles.
Will Rush 6 beat the Rush 5 in all qualities? … let's see…
The take-off at 93 all up with my X-rated 6 harness seems much better than the Rush 5 which was a bit slow to inflate. The Rush 6 with those small leading-edge openings, inflates much better in little air. Lighter materials enable the gliders to launch better, like the Explorer 2 for example And I think the future Swift 6 will have an even more enhanced launching as the Explorer2. But for a normal B glider, no more complaints about the launching characteristics. Checked!
In the air, the Rush 6 is a bit faster at trim than the Rush 5 and for sure at the second bar which we will talk about later on.
The brake travel at my weight has similar pressure to the Rook 3 but longer a bit for the same turning abilities and same agility in turns.
Before I continue describing the turn abilities, I have to mention that the overall feel under the Rush 6 is very different from 90 % of the B category gliders. Let me explain:
The Rush 5, Rook3, Mentor 6, Chili4, are still excellent B gliders, but the feel under them is exactly like a moderate aspect ratio B glider with limited abilities for the leading edge to cut through a difficult airmass. And that ability was only reserved for the class above.
The Rush 6 is different. A different behavior and movements under it. The pilot level is a little step more than the Rush 5, but still in the high B category.
The leading edge is so tensed that I needed to pull hard in order to collapse it. The reopening is immediate and slightly more dynamic.
In strong and turbulent air, no small collapses whatsoever. Very taught leading edge. The Rush 6 is a different glider from the older series.
But please don’t understand me wrong. The Rush 6 is a relatively comfortable glider in the B category. I just needed to place it accurately versus the Rush 5. For example: Easier to fly and much tamer movements than the Carrera Plus. Probably similar to the Maestro 21. So all is good there. To finalize, the Rush 6 is slightly easier to fly than the Delta 4 when conditions are rough. The information is slightly more tamed.
All that hybrid construction with the C steering like the Delta and Alpina series, and the taught leading-edge, leads to having a leading edge that is cutting through the airmass exactly like a C glider! The efficiency in moving forward is like the class above. Or should I say to be very accurate, in the “middle-top” of the C class category?
Now that’s a bold statement…I know. But I as you already know, I won’t write useless marketing talk, anything unless I’m sure about it. And yes, I’m sure.
The C steering is very easy and comfortable to use in turbulence while on bar.
Now the question that you might ask is: What about the Delta 4? Does the Rush 6 have the same overall performance as the Delta 4? My answer is simple.
As long as you push the bar on the Rush 6, the difference in glide against the wind and in a moving airmass in XC conditions are very…very…little to say the least. Even at full bar on the Rush 6, the efficiency is outstanding!
But I have tried and tried many glides with the same results even at top speed comparing with a very good C glider of the same size and at the same loadings.
Climbing in weak conditions at 93 all up, showed me also a very efficient machine that could float in those tiny thermals despite the stiff and solid structure of a B glider. On a higher-rated glider, flying in weak conditions will give you more feedback as the C, or D gliders inform the pilot in a more subtle and direct way of the air movements. But the mellow Rush 6 was quite efficient in weak. Despite being very good in weak, I think that the Rush 5 would float a tiny better in 0.2 m/s conditions. Encountering a bit of valley breeze, the R6 will have the upper-hand
Does it turn better than the Rush 5?
Yes, “with more positive power into the turn” is the best description for it. It goes forward without stopping while turning. (Of course for a B glider)
The feedback comes from the risers, not the brakes. The turning abilities to core any turbulent thermal with a narrow radius are very possible if the inside brake is pulled to a certain degree. Overall, a very good handling and brake authority.
A pilot upgrading from the Buzz Z5 or Z6 needs at least two full seasons in strong air to fully understand the Rush 6 excellent potential. Coming from a Mojo is not recommended…I think.
Big ears are stable and reopen with pilot control as the tips tend to stick a bit. A little break pump would be great.
Conclusion: If you are that good high B pilot that searches to get an XC record on a B while pushing often on the bar, then you have reached your destination.
If pilots want to use the R6 only at trim, then they will miss its real potential.
The Rush 6 is a higher step-in feel and in performance for the B category. It feels like the R6 is pushing into the airmass like very rare high B gliders, but with a high-performance package.
A Rush 5 pilot needs a few hours to dial in and to understand the new concept. Afterward unleash the beast! :-)
